Welcome!
My name is Trista Davis.
Thank you for joining me today for meditation.
Today I would like to talk about surrender.
So let's just begin by surrendering to this moment that is right in front of us,
Allowing yourself to just get a little more comfortable.
Releasing any thoughts of the day and becoming present with what is real here and now.
And just beginning to focus on your beautiful breath,
Flowing in and out of the body.
If at any point during the meditation your mind begins to wander,
That is totally normal.
And so if you find the mind wandering,
All you have to do is bring it back to the sound of my voice,
Or watching the breath moving in and out of the body.
We never really stop to think about the alternate meaning of the word surrender.
In modern society it can almost seem like it's a word of weakness or giving up.
But to me,
Surrender is not a weak word,
But it's an action that comes from amazing strength.
It is simple,
Not easy,
And it takes a willingness,
An openness.
Please know that today's talk in meditation is my thoughts and opinions.
And if you don't agree with everything that I say,
That's totally okay.
So take what works for you and leave the rest,
And see what possibilities might unfold.
The dictionary defines surrender as this,
To cease resistance to an enemy or opponent and submit to their authority.
Again,
On the surface,
This does not seem like a strong word.
But for me,
If I really dig deep into this,
I can see the underlying strength,
Even in this definition.
Let's take a few deep breaths here and begin to really break it down.
Inhaling fully,
Exhaling completely.
Let's do two more just like that.
Ceasing Resistance Cease resistance.
Allow an open mind.
Ceasing resistance is one of the bravest things that we can do.
It is an innate trust,
A letting go,
A beautiful release.
The enemy I speak of today is our mind,
And its keen inability to be with reality as it unfolds.
Instead,
The mind has us constantly trying to have reality fit the mold of what would be convenient for us,
What would make us feel okay.
But if we can pause and sink into the truth of our existence,
We can know that it is an impossible task to argue with the reality of the goings on in the world.
It doesn't mean that we can't be a catalyst for change,
But sometimes acceptance of what is going on is really the first step.
The world keeps unfolding its reality regardless of what we think or feel.
Therefore,
Ceasing resistance to the enemy can be one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.
It is a peaceful and loving action that you can give to your soul.
The next part of this definition,
Submitting to their authority.
Of course,
No one likes to think of the word submit as a strong,
Powerful,
Or brave word,
But in this context,
In my understanding,
It really is.
It's about allowing yourself to go with the flow of life rather than trying to struggle upstream against it.
This is not a giving up.
This is not a bowing out.
This is a courageous acceptance of what exists before you.
If we can allow ourselves to go with the flow and consciously allow ourselves to be moved upstream,
We can then access the vast ocean that life has waiting.
You can allow the stream to take you in the direction it has already dreamed up for you.
It will save you so much energy.
Now,
Of course,
This is not a surrender of free will,
Or being passive,
Or not being a catalyst for change,
But what it is is a deep knowing that you are strong enough to surrender to what the universe has in store for you.
Each breath,
Each minute,
Each day of this precious life unfolding before you has been designed for you.
It's like your own private movie.
Isn't that a miracle?
It may be the only sane choice to surrender and quit fighting against a force that is so strong and so wise.
Even when you are going through a challenging or difficult time,
The universe is always working together for the good of all.
Again,
Simple but not easy to understand,
And often difficult to hear when we're in a challenging place.
But again,
I ask you,
Is fighting against the reality of what is happening right now serving you,
Is it creating more peace?
Take a few deep breaths now,
And allow yourself to go a little bit deeper.
Surrendering to the flow of each inhale and each exhale moving in and out of the body.
Moving moment to moment,
Feeling everything,
Being present to what is actually happening right now.
No need to judge,
No need to rush,
No need to rush forward into a future that you can't actually plan or predict,
Or control for that matter.
Trying your best to stay here now with your own personal experience.
Keep breathing.
Follow the breath,
And allow your own divine inner wisdom to come forth in this moment.
What can surrender mean to you?
Where can there be a deeper letting go,
A trust,
And knowing that things are working together for your good?
Are you exhausted from being weighed down by trying to control every little aspect of your life?
Are you ready to be set free through the act of surrender?
Are you ready to experience more truth,
More life?
Breathing here,
Making space within the body,
It's time to experience more freedom,
More love,
More joy,
More trust,
And this beauty that is our life.
Keep breathing,
Keep feeling,
Keep creating space.
We were meant to fully experience this life as it unfolds,
But generally instead we're trying to control it and make it into its own pretty little package.
I promise you the package can be far more beautiful if you allow it to be what it is and experience its natural beauty rather than dressing it up,
Covering it up with ribbons and bows.
If you're not there yet,
That's okay.
If you can't imagine relinquishing control and allowing,
Instead just imagine what it could be like if this was possible for you.
What is the opportunity that exists here?
There is endless grace and freedom and love that is trying to reach you.
Is it being blocked out through the need to try to control each outcome?
There is endless grace and freedom and love available to you.
It's reaching out,
It's seeking you,
But it often gets blocked through the need for us to try to control the outcome of every little thing that we do.
Can we instead surrender?
Are we ready for this grace,
This freedom,
This love?
Breathe here.
Soften your heart.
Open your heart,
Your mind,
Your body,
And now allow the soul just a little bit of freedom in this moment.
Allow the soul to be free,
To be free to experience every little thing this life has waiting.
What is your soul's desire?
Who are you?
Never quit asking that question.
Keep asking,
Keep exploring,
And be open to all the possibilities that life has waiting for you.
Don't spend another moment trying to relive the past or worry about the future.
It's your time now.
Just be here with this breath,
With this life,
And allow the beauty of existence to unfold in front of you.
Sinking deeper and more fully into this beautiful reality of surrender with each and every exhale.
Continuing to breathe here as long as you wish.
Sending love.
